A14 junction 47a Haughley to 49 Tothill reconstruction scheme
We'll be carrying out reconstruction work on the A14 carriageway between Junction 47a Haughley to Junction 49 Tothill, which currently has a concrete road surface. The work includes a total reconstruction of the road, installing a new safety barrier, clearing drains, repainting road markings, and inserting new reflective road studs (cat’s eyes).
Latest updates
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28 March 2024
Come talk to the team today
Come and chat to the team today find out more about our progress on this scheme.
From 1pm to 7pm today (Thursday 28 March), we'll be at Jubilee Hall, The Blackbourne, Blackbourne Road, Elmswell, IP30 9UH.
We'll be there with our colleagues who will be resurfacing the A14 between junctions 43 and 47a in Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) to 47a (Woolpit) from mid April.
Their work will be done in two phases. Phase 1 will begin on 15 April. Phase 2 is planned for autumn 2024. Work will be done overnight between 8pm and 6am on weeknights only, weather conditions permitting. Read more about the resurfacing work.
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08 February 2024
Progress to date
Despite some challenging weather conditions, we’ve made great progress with work on the westbound carriageway.
We’ve removed the concrete from lane 2 and part of lane 1 of the old westbound carriageway and the safety barrier.
When we were rebuilding the eastbound carriageway, we encountered some areas of soft ground that caused problems.
To prevent this happening when we’re working on the westbound carriageway, we now have machinery on site that allows us to mix a strengthening powder into the ground. This will increase the strength of the surface to provide a firm working platform.
Next steps
We’ll start laying the underlying bound strengthened layer, followed by the next two layers of asphalt.
We’ll then switch to the remaining part of lane 1 and repeat the process to rebuild this lane, ahead of the new road surface being laid in summer 2024.
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07 December 2023
Overnight road closure for barrier changes, 8 December 2023
For safety reasons, we'll need to close the A14 westbound carriageway between junction 51 and junction 43 on Friday 8 December, between 8pm and 6am.
This closure is needed so we can make some adjustments to the work area access and exit points as we make progress along the carriageway.
Date and time of closure
Closure details
Diversion route
Friday 8 December, between 8pm and 6am
Overnight closure of the A14 westbound between junction 51 and junction 43.
Traffic will exit at junction 51 and travel along A140 to Diss, A143, to join the A14 westbound at junction 43.
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31 October 2023
Road closures, 3 November to 15 December 2023
We are aware of the potholes which appeared in the temporary surface on the westbound and eastbound lanes in the contraflow, and have been investigating the reason for this problem.
Our initial findings show the stone had separated from the surfacing material, which can sometimes happen between transportation and laying the surface material, and lead to the surface cracking.
We've done some emergency repairs to potholes in both lanes in the contraflow. Both lanes on the eastbound carriageway have been fully reconstructed, but the current surface is a temporary one. Once the westbound direction is completed, we’ll return to the eastbound in summer 2024 to apply the finished surface layer.
We’ll shortly be carrying out repairs on the eastbound and westbound lanes in the contraflow between junction 47a to junction 49. Due to the location of the road defects, we’ll need to move the westbound traffic back to lane 1 on the westbound carriageway to complete permanent repairs.
From 6am on Tuesday 7 November, there will be a single lane open on each carriageway until the repairs are done. The traffic will be switched back onto the eastbound contraflow by 6am on Saturday 11 November, and will remain in place for the duration of the scheme.
Road closures
To carry out these repairs safely, we’ll need to close the A14 overnight between junctions 43 and 51 to through traffic from 8pm to 6am on each of the following nights:
- Westbound on Friday 3 November and Monday 6 November
- Eastbound on Tuesday 7 November, Wednesday 8 November and Thursday 9 November
- Westbound on Friday 10 November.
There will also be some flood work taking place on the A14 at junction 51. To reduce the impact on the local area, the work will be carried out in two phases:
- Phase 1 – junction 51 westbound entry slip road closures on between 8pm and 6am Monday 6 to Friday 10 November (5 nights).
- Phase 2 – junction 51 westbound entry slip road closures between 8pm and 6am on Friday 27 November to Friday 15 December (15 nights).
A fully signed local diversion route will be in place and local traffic will still be able to access the A14 westbound at junction 47 and the A14 eastbound at junction 49.
We apologise in advance for any inconvenience or disruption you may experience during this essential work.
Please note that these are provisional dates, and may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
We’ll keep you updated of any significant changes.
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27 October 2023
Overnight road closures for emergency repairs, 27 October
There will be an emergency closure of the A14 westbound carriageway between junction 51 and junction 43 tonight between 8pm and 6am on 27 October, to allow us to carry out some emergency pothole repairs to the carriageway.
We’ll also have a closure of the A14 eastbound carriageway between junction 43 and junction 51 on Monday 30 October, to carry out similar repairs.
Please see the table and map below for diversion route information.
Date and time of closure
Closure details
Diversion route
Friday 27 October between 8pm and 6am
Overnight closure of the A14 westbound between junction 51 and junction 43.
Traffic will exit at junction 51 and travel along A140 to Diss and along A143 before re-joining the A14 westbound at junction 43.
Monday 30 October between 8pm and 6am
Overnight closure of the A14 eastbound between junction 43 and junction 51
Traffic will exit at junction 43 and travel along A143 and A140 before re-joining the A14 eastbound at junction 51
Diversion
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25 October 2023
Overnight road closure for emergency repairs, 25 October
There will be an emergency closure of the A14 westbound carriageway between junction 51 and junction 43 tonight between 8pm and 6am, to allow us to carry out some emergency repairs to the carriageway. Please see the table and map below for diversion route information:
Date and time of closure Closure details Diversion route Wednesday 25 October between 8pm and 6am Overnight closure of the A14 westbound between junction 51 and junction 43 Traffic will exit at junction 51 and travel along A140, B1077, A143, A134 before re-joining the A14 westbound at junction 43 -
23 October 2023
Road closed overnight on 23 and 24 October 2023
We’ll soon be moving to the next phase of our work when we’ll start reconstructing lane 2 of the westbound carriageway.
This involves moving barriers which separate the traffic and laying new road markings to ensure the new temporary road lanes and layout are clear and easy for motorists to follow.
We had planned to close the A14 eastbound between junctions 43 and 51 last Friday (20 October) to install the contraflow on the eastbound carriageway.
Due to the severe weather conditions that night and a serious road traffic accident on the diversion route, we’ve had to move the overnight closure dates.
The contraflow system will now be moved to the eastbound carriageway between junctions 47a and 49 overnight on Tuesday 24 October.
From 6am on Tuesday 24 October there will be a single lane open on each carriageway while the contraflow is switched.
The new contraflow system will be fully in place by 6am on Wednesday 25 October 2023, and will remain in place for the duration of the scheme.
Latest road closure dates
To put the contraflow in place, we’ll need to close the A14 overnight between junctions 43 and 51 to through traffic from 8pm to 6am on each of the following nights:
- Eastbound – Monday 23 October
- Westbound – Tuesday 24 October
When the carriageway is closed, a fully signed local diversion route will be in place (see below).
Local traffic will still be able to access the A14 westbound at junction 47 and the A14 eastbound at junction 49.
Whilst the A14 is closed, traffic will be diverted via the A140 at junction 51 and the A143 at junction 43.
A fully signed local diversion route will be in place and local traffic will still be able to access the A14 westbound at junction 47 and the A14 eastbound at junction 49.
Please note these closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances and poor weather conditions. For the most up to date information visit our Daily Closures page.
The speed limit through the contraflow remains at the reduced speed of 50mph for the safety of our workers and all road users.
We’re sorry for the delays and disruption that our road closures cause to your journey and we encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling.
Diversion
Traffic control
We’ve worked with Suffolk County Council to consider further actions that can be introduced to prevent the rat running through local villages.
Although we’ve installed further additional signs along various routes, it is clear that some road users are not paying attention to these. We’re therefore intending to temporarily reduce the speed limit on a number of local roads.
Here is a list of temporary speed limit locations.
The temporary speed reductions are subject to temporary traffic regulation orders which are currently going through an approvals process, and we expect the changes to be in place from 16 October 2023.
Please note these temporary speed limit reductions will be removed once the A14 junction 47a to junction 49 reconstruction scheme is completed in summer 2024.
Thank you for your patience during this essential work.
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13 September 2023
Public Information Exhibitions
We'll be holding the fourth series of public information events about this work at the end of September 2023, where people will be able to meet the team, learn about the scheme and ask questions. Our team will be at the following locations:
Wednesday 27 September: 1.00pm to 7.00pm
Wetherden village Hall, Park Road, Wetherden, Stowmarket, IP14 3LE
Thursday 28 September: 4.00pm to 8.00pm
Thurston Sixth, Beyton Campus, Drinkstone Rd, Beyton, Bury Saint Edmunds, IP30 9AQ
Friday 29 September: 11am to 4pm
Stowmarket Leisure Centre, Gainsborough Road, Stowmarket, IP14 1LH -
31 August 2023
Upcoming overnight road closures in September
We’ve made good progress in the last month reconstructing lane 1 on the eastbound carriageway.
We’ve completed work to repair the existing drainage on the verge and installed new drainage at the edge of the road.
Read our August newsletter to find out more.
Road closures
We’re continuing with overnight works on the A14 between junctions 51 and 43 to carrying out road investigation work, vegetation clearance and UK Power Networks will also be removing overhead cables.
To carry out these works safely, we’ll need to close the A14 overnight when there is less traffic.
The road will be closed between 8pm and 6am as detailed below.
Date of overnight closures Location of closures Friday 1 September A14 westbound Monday 4 September A14 westbound Tuesday 5 September A14 eastbound Please note that dates may change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, but we’ll keep you updated of any changes.
We apologise for any inconvenience or disruption you may experience during this essential work.
Diversion route
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22 August 2023
Overnight road closures
The A14 will be closed overnight between junctions 51 and 43 to through traffic for carrying out road investigation work, vegetation clearance and UK Power Networks will also be removing overhead cables.
To carry out these works safely, we’ll need to close the A14 overnight when there is less traffic.
The road will be closed between 8pm and 6am as detailed below.
Date of overnight closures Location of overnight road closures Tuesday 29 August until Wednesday 30 August A14 westbound Friday 1 September A14 westbound Monday 4 September A14 westbound Tuesday 5 September A14 eastbound Please note that dates may change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, but we’ll keep you updated of any changes.
We apologise for any inconvenience or disruption you may experience during this essential work.
Diversion route map
A fully signed diversion route will be in place overnight when the road is closed.
Westbound traffic will be diverted to exit the A14 at junction 51, before taking the A140 towards Diss and then the A143 towards Bury St Edmunds to re-join the A14 at J43. Eastbound traffic will exit at junction 43, then take the A143 and the A140, before re-joining the A14 at junction 51. We expect this diversion to increase journey times by up to 40 minutes.
We’re sorry for the disruption this may cause to your journey and encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling.
Please keep everybody safe by sticking to this diversion route and don’t be tempted to ‘rat run’ on smaller, local roads.
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31 July 2023
July newsletter and August Road Closures
We’ve finished laying the first layer of surfacing material in lane 2 this week. We’ve now started work to remove the existing concrete surface from lane 1 on the A14 eastbound carriageway between junction 47a and 49. Read our July newsletter to find out more.
Next week, we’ll start removing the excess material in lane 1 to ensure the carriageway is level before we build the new foundations with a strengthened material during the week starting 7 August.
We carefully plan our construction activity so that our workers have enough room and a clear area to do their work. We need to schedule our work activities carefully for safety reasons, but we’d like to assure customers that we are working as hard and as fast as we can to rebuild this road.
Our standard working hours are between 7:30am - 5pm Monday to Friday, with occasional nightshifts, as our current work uses construction material from a local supplier, and they are only permitted to open during these hours.
Road closures
We’ll need to close the A14 junction 46 eastbound exit slip road overnight on Monday 7 August 2023 between 8pm and 6am, when there is less traffic.
Why we are closing the road
We’ll be altering the layout on the slip road on the A14 at junction 46, following traffic monitoring done earlier this month.
We are making changes because some road users are using the dedicated left-hand lane on the slip road to turn right towards Beyton across the queue at the T-junction.
To help solve this, we will be installing temporary road markings and signs to make it clear to traffic which lane they should be using.
We’ll also be installing two-way temporary traffic lights on Thurston Road to put in a 'hatched' area.
Diversion route
Eastbound traffic will be diverted to exit the A14 at junction 47, before taking the A1088/Heath Road towards Woolpit and then the A14 westbound towards Beyton to exit the A14 at junction 46.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused while we do our work.
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12 July 2023
Read our June newsletter
We’ve made excellent progress on rebuilding this stretch of the A14 road, removing over 8500 tons of material
from the old road surface.Read more in our June 2023 newsletter.
Customer survey
In our May Newsletter, we invited you to take a few moments to complete our quick customer survey. If you have not already completed the customer survey, please do let us know your thoughts. Your comments help us to understand how, when and what information you want us to share with you.
Keep in touch
Did you know we have an SMS (Short Messaging Service) which issues text messages when there is an incident that will affect your journey on this stretch of the A14 during morning or evening peak-time travel?
If there is a break down or a collision in the roadworks, we’ll quickly send a SMS message to you, so that you can plan your journey. Sign up for this service by sending your mobile number to: ConcreteRoadsEastA14@nationalhighways.co.uk
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19 June 2023
Upcoming road closure on Friday 30 June 2023
We need to do some overnight work essential carriageway repairs on the westbound carriageway of the A14 between junction 47a to junction 49. We’ll also be carrying out vegetation clearance work.
Road closure dates
To carry out these repairs safely, we’ll need to close the A14 westbound overnight when there is less traffic.
The road will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am on Friday 30 June 2023 from junction 51 (Needham Market) to junction 47 (Haughley).
During this road closure, local traffic will still be able to access the A14 westbound at junction 47 and the A14 eastbound at junction 49.
Please note that dates may change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances but we’ll keep you updated of any changes.
We apologise for any inconvenience or disruption you may experience during this essential work.
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24 May 2023
Read our May newsletter
Last week we successfully completed the first phase of our project to remove and replace the concrete road surface on the A14 between junctions 47a and 49, with work currently taking place on the eastbound carriageway.
After the bank holiday, we’ll begin removing soil in lane 2 to ensure the carriageway is level before we build the new road foundations with a stronger material. We’ll then begin laying the first layer of asphalt road surface, before moving to lane 1 to begin rebuilding the road.
This week we altered the layout of the slip road on the A14 at junction 47. The changes were made because traffic on the A14 is either slowing down and stopping to allow vehicles to merge, or not allowing vehicles to merge, which is causing traffic congestion on the entry slip road.
To help solve this, we will be extending the eastbound entry slip road at junction 47 to allow traffic from junction 47 to merge into the A14 contraflow. We’ll continue to monitor the traffic at this location.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused while we do our work.
Road closures
There are currently no additional planned daytime or overnight closures as we’ll be continuing our work during the day using the existing eastbound carriageway closure, with traffic using the contraflow on the westbound carriageway.
Find out more about our work
Read our latest newsletter to find out more about this project and our progress.
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16 May 2023
Overnight road closure on on Monday 22 May 2023
We will need to close the A14 eastbound overnight between junction 43 (Bury St. Edmunds) and junction 51 (Needham Market) on Monday 22 May 2023 between 8pm and 6am, when there is less traffic.
Why we are closing the road
We’ll be altering the layout of the slip road on the A14 at junction 47, following traffic monitoring done earlier this month.
We are making changes because traffic on the A14 is either slowing down and stopping to allow vehicles to merge, or not allowing vehicles to merge, which is causing traffic congestion on the entry slip road.
To help solve this, we will be extending the eastbound entry slip road at junction 47 to allow traffic from junction 47 to merge into the A14 contraflow.
We’ll also be carrying out work with the Norfolk and Suffolk Camera Partnership during this road closure.
Please note that the date of the closure may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
Preventing rat running
We’ve recently reviewed our signs, and will be putting in extra signs through all villages affected by rat running showing the following messages (where applicable):
- Local roads unsuitable for through traffic - Use A14
- Residential area (blue 30mph speed limit signs)
- Unsuitable for HGV’s
- Pedestrian warning signs
- Horses warning signs.
We’ve put two safety speed camera vans along the routes people typically use to rat run. We will be sharing the data collected with Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Constabulary.
We’ll raise residents’ concerns about vehicles speeding at our meeting with Suffolk County Council Road Safety team next week. We are also looking at possible alternative traffic calming measures that can be used on the local roads to help prevent rat running.
We’ve also written to business between Bury St Edmunds and Copdock asking them to make sure that their drivers stay on the A14. Letters have also been sent to the Hauliers Association, Felixstowe port, the Freight Transport Association and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
In our letters we explained that these roads have lower speed restrictions, they aren’t suitable for high volumes of heavy goods vehicles and traffic, and often have weight restrictions in place (meaning lorries should not be using them unless delivering goods).
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02 May 2023
Overnight road closure westbound on 2 May 2023
Overnight road closure
The A14 will be closed tonight westbound between junctions junctions 51 and 43 to through traffic to allow us to safely install and calibrate the speed cameras used in the roadworks.
The closure will be in place tonight (Tuesday 2 May) from 12am until 6am.
A fully signed diversion route will be in place overnight when the road is closed.
Eastbound traffic will be diverted to exit the A14 at junction 43, before taking the A143 towards Diss and then the A140 towards Ipswich to re-join the A14 at J51. Westbound traffic will exit at junction 51, then take the A140 and the A143, before re-joining the A14 at junction 43. We expect this diversion to increase journey times by up to 40 minutes.
We’re sorry for the disruption this may cause to your journey and encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling.
Please keep everybody safe by sticking to this diversion route and don’t be tempted to ‘rat run’ on smaller, local roads. We’re working with Suffolk Constabulary to enforce the weight restriction on local roads during our overnight closures. Not only do these roads have lower speed restrictions, they also aren’t meant for large vehicles or high volumes of traffic, and often have weight restrictions in place. It can also lead to more congestion, increasing the risk of accidents for both motorists and pedestrians.
Diversion route map
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18 April 2023
Read our April newsletter
Our contraflow is now in place. The contraflow was set up overnight on the westbound carriageway, and is now in place.
The first part of our work focused on reducing the width of the A14 between junctions 46 to 49 from two lanes to one lane in both directions. We needed to do this to create the contraflow which allows us to keep the road open during our construction work.
A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic moves over to drive on the other side of the road to share the remaining carriageway. This gives us a clear area where we can work quickly and safely, which means that our workforce can safely rebuild the road whilst keeping traffic flowing.
Now that the contraflow is in place we can start work on the eastbound carriageway. We’ll use a planer to remove the existing concrete surface. We will take the concrete rubble away to our site compound in Barham where the concrete is recycled to make a new foundation for the A14.
As part of our work, we’ll be installing new steel central reservation barriers, laying a low noise asphalt surface with new white lines and roads studs (cats’ eyes).
We’ll be working between 7.30am and 5pm during the day, and overnight from 8pm to 6am. The contraflow will be on the westbound carriageway seven days a week, 24 hours a day for around six months. We’ll then swap the contraflow over to the eastbound side so we can rebuild the westbound carriageway.
Read our latest newsletter to find out what work we're doing and why.
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10 March 2023
Upcoming overnight road closures in April
We’ve published the first edition of our scheme newsletter, which provides an update on the work we’re delivering on the A14 between junction 47a Haughley and junction 49 Tothill. We also explain how you can register for our SMS service.
Read our March 2023 newsletter.
Upcoming overnight road closures
We started work reconstructing the A14 concrete road on Monday 20 February.
We’ll be using contraflow roadworks throughout the construction of this scheme to help keep traffic moving. A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is moved over to drive on the opposite side of the road to share the remaining carriageway. The speed limit through the contraflow will be temporarily reduced to 50mph for the safety of our workers and motorists.
So we can begin installing the contraflow system, we’ll be continuing with our overnight closures of the A14 between junctions 43 and 51 to through traffic until Monday 17 April. Some junctions will remain open for access to local traffic.
The closures will be in place Monday to Friday from 8pm until 6am each night:
Date of overnight closure Location of overnight closure Friday 14 April A14 westbound Monday 17 April until Tuesday 18 April A14 eastbound Please note that these closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances or poor weather conditions.
Diversion information
A fully signed diversion route will be in place overnight when the road is closed.
Eastbound traffic will be diverted to exit the A14 at junction 43, before taking the A143 towards Diss and then the A140 towards Ipswich to re-join the A14 at J51. Westbound traffic will follow this route in reverse.
We expect this diversion to increase journey times by up to 40 minutes.
We’re sorry for the disruption this may cause to your journey and encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling.
Please keep everybody safe by sticking to this diversion route and don’t be tempted to ‘rat run’ on smaller, local roads. We’re working with Suffolk Constabulary to enforce the weight restriction on local roads during our overnight closures. Not only do these roads have lower speed restrictions, they also aren’t meant for large vehicles or high volumes of traffic, and often have weight restrictions in place. It can also lead to more congestion, increasing the risk of accidents for both motorists and pedestrians.
Diversion route map
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09 March 2023
Updated: an update on the A14 junction 47a Haughley to 49 Tothill reconstruction scheme
We’ve published the first edition of our scheme newsletter, which provides an update on the work we’re delivering on the A14 between junction 47a Haughley and junction 49 Tothill. We also explain how you can register for our SMS service.
Read our March 2023 newsletter.
Upcoming overnight road closures
We started work reconstructing the A14 concrete road on Monday 20 February.
We’ll be using contraflow roadworks throughout the construction of this scheme to help keep traffic moving. A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is moved over to drive on the opposite side of the road to share the remaining carriageway. The speed limit through the contraflow will be temporarily reduced to 50mph for the safety of our workers and motorists.
So we can begin installing the contraflow system, we’ll be continuing with our overnight closures of the A14 between junctions 43 and 51 to through traffic until Tuesday 28 March. Some junctions will remain open for access to local traffic.
The closures will be in place Monday to Friday from 8pm until 6am each night:
Date of overnight closure Location of overnight closure Monday 20 until Friday 24 March A14 westbound Monday 27 March A14 westbound Tuesday 28 March A14 eastbound Please note that these closures are subject to change at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances or poor weather conditions.
Diversion information
A fully signed diversion route will be in place overnight when the road is closed.
Eastbound traffic will be diverted to exit the A14 at junction 43, before taking the A143 towards Diss and then the A140 towards Ipswich to re-join the A14 at J51. Westbound traffic will follow this route in reverse.
We expect this diversion to increase journey times by up to 40 minutes.
We’re sorry for the disruption this may cause to your journey and encourage drivers to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling.
Please keep everybody safe by sticking to this diversion route and don’t be tempted to ‘rat run’ on smaller, local roads. We’re working with Suffolk Constabulary to enforce the weight restriction on local roads during our overnight closures. Not only do these roads have lower speed restrictions, they also aren’t meant for large vehicles or high volumes of traffic, and often have weight restrictions in place. It can also lead to more congestion, increasing the risk of accidents for both motorists and pedestrians.
Diversion route map
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03 February 2023
An update on the A14 junction 47a Haughley to 49 Tothill reconstruction scheme
We were planning to do some early preparation work, which was scheduled to begin on Tuesday 7 February 2023. Due to technical challenges, we now need to move the dates of our work.
We are working hard to ensure that the work starts within the next few weeks. We will we put upcoming closure dates here once they are confirmed.
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02 November 2022
Public information events
We'll be holding the second series of public information events about this work in January 2023, where people will be able to meet the team, learn about the scheme and ask questions. Our team will be at the following locations:
- Thursday 26 January 2023, 1pm – 8pm
Woolpit, St Marys Church, Rectory Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP30 9QP - Friday 27 January 2023, 1pm – 7pm
The Wesley Chapel, Elmswell, IP30 9EE - Saturday 28 January 2023, 10am – 4pm
Stowmarket Leisure Centre, Gainsborough Road, Stowmarket, IP14 1LH
- Thursday 26 January 2023, 1pm – 8pm
Project information
We will be carrying out work to rebuild the A14 road’s carriageway between Junction 47a Haughley to Junction 49 Tothill.
When our main work begins in 2023, we will be using a contraflow to minimise disruption and keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible. A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the other side of the road to share the remaining carriageway. This provides us with a clear working area that means we can work more quickly and safely.
For the safety of road users and our workforce, temporary speed limits will be in place during works. They will be clearly signed and enforced by speed cameras.
View a list of temporary speed restriction locations.
This video explains the process we go through to rebuild concrete roads:
Road closures and diversions
For safety, some road closures will be needed at key stages in our project. We’ll publish information about these closures on this webpage and on our social media channels when the details have been confirmed.
When these closures take place, a fully signed diversion route will be in place.
Reducing the impact of our work
We know that our construction work will create some congestion and longer journey times, so we want to help you decide your travel plans by giving you information to help you consider alternative ways of reaching your destination.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience our construction work will cause, and we’ll continue to liaise with local business and public transport providers whilst we’re working.
Consider your options
We know that it’s a lot to ask, but we’d like to encourage you to think about how best to make your journey.
Some things to consider include:
Car sharing
If you need to travel for work, could you car share with a colleague, a family member or a friend who is travelling in the same direction? Car sharing means less traffic on the roads and reduced congestion, which means quicker commutes. It’ll also help to save you money and reduce pollution.
Travelling in a different way
Another thing to consider is if you can you use a different form of transport.
Is there a train service to where you need to reach? Can you walk or cycle for at least part of your journey? Is there a bus or coach you could take? Fewer vehicles on the road means less congestion through the roadworks or on the diversion route.
Please visit the Suffolk on Board website to learn more about the public transport options in your area.
Sticking to our diversion route during A14 closures
We ask that drivers remain on the A14 and drive through the contraflow roadworks throughout our construction period. However, some road closures will be needed at key stages in our project for safety reasons. When these closures are in place, please use the agreed diversion route along the A143 and A140 shown on this website.
We ask drivers not to ‘rat run’ on smaller, local roads, as this can impact on villages and local communities. Not only do these roads have lower speed restrictions, they also aren’t meant for large vehicles or high volumes of traffic, and often have weight restrictions in place. It can also lead to more congestion, increasing the risk of accidents for both motorists and pedestrians.
Working from home
We know it’s not possible for everyone to work remotely, but please consider working from home for part of the week if you have that option.
Re-timing your journey
If you can’t work from home, another option could be choosing to make your journey at a different time. Whether you’re travelling by car or public transport, re-timing your journey to avoid morning and afternoon peak travel times can help reduce congestion, and travelling when the road is less busy will help reduce the amount of time you spend commuting.
Are you a local business who’s interested in improving journeys for your employees?
We’re committed to working with the local authorities, business organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Local Enterprise Partnerships, and individual businesses and transport providers in the area. To discuss how we can assist your travel planning, please contact us.
Our repairs will help improve the safety of the road surface, but it will also provide a smoother and quieter journey for road users. Rather than repairing the potholes and cracking, the whole carriageway will be reconstructed and re-laid to ensure a smoother and safer ride. Once complete, we expect the life of the road surface to be extended by up to 40 more years, with fewer future closures for maintenance repairs, meaning more reliable journeys for road users.
We’ve set up a free SMS alerts service to warn road users, via text message, of any incidents that occur within our roadworks on the A14 during peak travel times.
You can sign up for this service by sending your mobile number to: ConcreteRoadsEastA14@nationalhighways.co.uk. Please reference the 'A14 junction 47a Haughley to 49 Tothill SMS service' in the subject line of your email, so it's clear which scheme updates you'd like to register for.
Please note that you can opt out at any time by contacting us at the same email address.
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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